Lawn-mower



(No Model.)

P. M. WATERS.

LAWN MOWER.

,92'7. Patented June 5,1888.

to work without the use of springs of any kind UNiTEn STATES PATENTOFFICE.

FRANK M. VATERS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

LAWN-*MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,927, dated June 5,1888.

Application filed November 15, 1887. Serial No. 255,277. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, FRANK M. WATERs, a i citizen ofthe United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Lawn-Mowers, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of lawnmowers in which the cutting isdone by a revolving cutting-reel in connection with a nonrevolving orstationary cutter-bar, the motive power to produce the cutting beingsupplied from the carrying-wheels through the medium of a clutchmechanism which is adapted to drive the cutting-reel in a forwarddirection only, so that the carrying or driving wheels are permitted torevolve independently of the cuttingmechanismwhenthemowcrispropelled ina backward direction.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and novel constructionof the stationary cuttenbar in relation to the supportingframe, wherebythe said cutter-bar may be quicklyand readily adjusted in relation tothe revolving cutting-reel and held securely in any desired position ofadjustment, the adjustment being accomplished without reversing orchanging the machine from its normal position.

The further object of my invention is to pro vide a novel arrangement ofthe revolving entting-reel and its supporting-bearings in relation tothe supporting-frame, whereby the said bearings are always maintained inperfect alignment and the cutting-reel shaft prevented from becomingcramped in assembling the machine or by an undue strain thereon.

The further object of my invention is to provide a novel clutchmechanism which shall embody in its construction but few parts adaptedand comparatively noiseless in its operation, the engaging parts beingso constructed that the force of gravity and the centrifugal force ofthe revolving parts will each assist in bringing the parts intoengagement and maintain ing the engaging parts in contact.

My invention consists in the various constructions and combinations ofparts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and8 are respectively a sectional view and an end elevation showing theinside and outside of the end portions of the supportingframe and thesubjoined mechauism,andillustrating different methods of securing theroller one case being shown removed. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed views,in perspective, ofthe clutch mechanism. Figs. 6 and 7 are detailed viewsof the cutting-reel bearings, and Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views ofthe stationary cuttingbar and the means for adjusting the same.

In the following description like parts are indicated on the saiddrawings throughout the several views by similar letters of reference.

In the said drawings, Arepresents the driving or supporting wheels whichsupport the main frame. The main frame consists of the end pieces, B B,connected together at the top by a connecting-rod, a, and at the bottomby the stationary cutter G. The wheels A are journaled in the ordinarymanner on project ing studs 1) on the end pieces, B, and are providedwith the customary internal gear adapted to engage with the pinions D onthe respect ive ends of the shaft E of the cutting-reel E. Thereel-shaft E is supported at either end in hearings on the end pieces, BB, in which it is adapted to turn to cause the reel to revolve above thestationary cutter G. The rear port-ion of the machine is supported bythe usual rear supportingroller, F. i

The stationary cutter, as before stated, ex-

brackets, the supporting or driving wheel in tends across the bottom ofthe machine, and is connected at each end to the respective end pieces,B B. Now, in order to provide a simple and efficient means for adjustingthe cutting-edge of the stationary cutter in relation to the revolvingcutting-reel, I extend the stationary cutter at each end beyond the endcwith laterally-projecting lugs f f, through which are projected adjUStIDg-SCIBWS f f, adapted to come into contact with the bearing-faces dd of the ear 0. It will be seen now that when the supporting-bolt e isin place the stationary cutter may be readily adjusted to or from therevolving cutting-wheel by slightly loosening the said bolt and turningthe cutterbar thereon in the direction desired by loosening one of theadjusting-screws and tight ening the other, after which thesupportingbolt is again tightened. I preferably connect the lugsff by acurved shield, f adapted to stand above and form a hood or covering forthe ear 0 and the bolt 6, thus protecting the bearings of the stationarycutter.

It will be seen that an efficient and simple means is thus provided bywhich the stationary cutter is secured in place or adjusted as desired,the parts being all easily accessible without changing the machine fromthe normal position.

The reel-shaft E, as before stated, is supported at each end in bearingson the end pieces, 13 B. These bearings are each formed of a projectingsupport, 9, on the end piece, having a depression or groove, h, therein,preferably V-shaped, as shown. In each of these V-shaped depressions orgrooves the bearingblock t is placed, the said bearing-block ibeingformed in cross-section, with itsiuside adapted to conform to the shapeof the shaft and its outside to the shape of the depression or groove h.The bearing-block i is placed loosely in the depression h, and istapered on the outside each way from the middle, so that it is free toadjust itself to the position of the shaft which is placed therein. Thebearing is completed by a cap, j, which rests on either side againstthetop of the adj ustablebearing-block z, and is secured by suitablefastening-screws to the projecting support the holes in the said capsthrough which the screws pass being larger than the said screws, topermit the cap to adjust itself to the loose bearingblock 2'. It will beseen that by this construction the bearings are adapted to maintain aperfect alignment with each other and adjust them selves to thereel-shaft, so as to avoid cramping of the parts in assembling or by anyundue shock or strain thereon.

. The clutch mechanism,w'nich serves to trans mit the power from thepinions D D to the reel-shaft, I construct as follows; Each of thepinio-ns D D is provided with a rim, 7c, extending from one end thereof,and having a slot, Z, in its periphery. Each of the pinions is adaptedto turn freely on the shaft E,which is adapted to be engaged by anannular collar or ring, it. Located within the rim 7: of each pinion,and surrounding the shaft E, is an annular collar or clutching-ring, n,with a projection, a, on its outer periphery, which fits loosely in theslot or recess Z in the rim 7c of the pinion, and with a ratchet-shapedprojection, 0, on its inside face, adapted to engage with the shaft Ewhen the pinion is rotated in that they may be constructed in any othersuitable well-known manner which will permit the shaft to turn freely inone direction and become engaged with the clutching-ring when turned inthe opposite direction. The clutching-ring is formed with apreponderance of weight onthe side opposite to the projection 0, so thatas the ring is revolved rapidly with the pinion the centrifugal forcewill cause the heavier portion of the ring to leave the shaft and bringthe inside projection on the 0pposite and lighter side to engage withthe engaging-points of the shaft. \Vhen the pinion is revolved slowly,the ring will fall by gravity, causing the engagement. It will thus beseen that when turned in one direction a positive engagement of theclutch is insured, either by gravity or centrifugal force.

The machine as thus described is simple and efficient in constructionand operation, and capable of ready and easy adjustment.

I have shown the rear supporting rollerbrackets adapted to be adjustably secured by the same bolt, 6, which secures the ends of thestationary cutter. This makes a very simple and desirable construction,by means of which all the parts thereof may be readily adjusted. It isobvious, however, that the roller-brackets and stationary cutter may besecured independently, if desired, by changing slightly the position ofthe said brackets and providing an additional bolt.

The machine is adapted to be propelled in any well-known manner,preferably by means of a handle attached to the end pieces in theordinary way.

It is obvious that the various features of the invention hereindescribed may be variously modified in a manner which will readilysuggest itself to the .mind of an ordinary me chanic. I do not,therefore, limit myself to the exact construction described and shown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, with theend pieces, of the stationary cutter having upwardly-extending ears,withbearing-faces on either side thereof, projecting lugs on said end piecesprovided with adjusting-screws adapted to bear against said faces, aconnecting-bolt passing through said end pieces and ears, and a shieldor cap connecting said lugs and forming a hood or covering for cars,substantially as set forth.

2. In a lawnmower, the end pieces, each having an inwardly-projectingbearing support with a V-shaped depression therein, the cutting-reel andits shaft, a loose bearing-block seated in said bearing-support, theinside of which is adapted to conform to said shaft and the outside tothe V-shaped depression, said bearing-block being tapered from themiddle toward-both ends, as set forth, and provided with a cap securedto said bearing-support, substantiall y as set forth.

3. The combination, with the end pieces, each having an inwardlyprojecting bearingsupport with the V-shaped depression therein, thetapered bearing-block adapted to rest in said V-shaped depression, and acap over said bearing-block, of a cuttingreel, the shaft of which isjournaled in said bearing-block, the

stationary cutter under said reel secured at clutching-ring constructedwith a driving-offset on its inner face and an engaging projection onits outer periphery, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a driving-clutch, a shaftencircling clutchiugring with adriving-offset on its inner face and an engaging projection on its outerperiphery, and having a preponderance of weight upon the side oppositeto the inside offset, substantially as set forth.

7. In a clutch, the co1nbinatiou,with a shaft, of an inelosing-ri1nprovided with a slot or opening therein,andac1utching-ringhavingan outerprojection adapted to engage in said slot and an inner projection toengage said shaft, said clutching-ring being formed with a preponderanceof weight on the side opposite the inner projection, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand this 9th day ofNovember, A. D. 1887.

FRANK M. WATERS.

\Vituesses:

J OSHUA Scocrr, PAUL A. STALEY.

